MANILA, Philippines – The Ateneo Blue Eagles drew big baskets from the Joma Adornado and Jerie Pingoy in the last two minutes and turned the tables on the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 70-60, Sunday in the 11th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.
The Eagles’ second victory in three games came as Hope Christian School and the San Beda Red Cubs continued their winning ways in the junior division.
John Apacible and James Galoso scored big for the Hope cagers, who marched to their fifth straight triumph in Group A with an 83-61 pummeling of the Trinity University of Asia Junior Stallions.
The Red Cubs, who notched their fourth consecutive win, banked on baskets from Addi Velasquez and Evan Furaque in escaping with a 71-67 beating of the Emilio Aguinaldo College-ICA dribblers in Group B.
In other games, Jeriz Ruiz topscored for the Arellano University Chiefs, who downed University of the East, 64-57, and hiked their slate at 3-2.
Adornado and Pingoy fired a couple of triples in the last 2:13, and their efforts helped the Blue Eagles overtake the Blazers, who were ahead in the third, 43-47.
Cameroonian Chibueze Ikeh presence underneath slowed down the Blazers in the last canto, and he led with 15 points and dominated the boards with 14 rebounds.
Apacible struck with 12 points while Galoso had 11 for Hope, which took charge right away with a 21-5 first quarter spread.
Velasquez and Furaque, who made eight points in the last 10 minutes, showed the way with 20 and 17 points for the Red Cubs.
A crucial trey from Alfred Bordeos in the last 5.7 seconds ensured the Red Cubs’ win.